Conflict with
Native Americans
CHAPTER 11, SECTION 2
Cultures Under Pressure

Though there were many tribes present on the Great
Plains, they all shared a common idea– that they were a
part of nature and nature was sacred.

Starting with the Trail of Tears, Native Americans were
forced to move to accommodate settlers.
 They
were forced to live on separate reservations,
specific land set aside by the government for the
Native Americans’ use.

The Native Americans were also hurt by the introduction
of diseases and the destruction of the buffalo herds.
Clashes with Native Americans
 Tensions
existed between settlers and the Native
Americans because of the settlers’ desire for land.
When Native Americans did not want to move,
and treaties were broken by the government,
tension arose.
 In
1864, John Chivington and his men opened fire
on unarmed Cheyenne at Sand Creek. His men
then went on to mutilate the bodies.
The
Sand Creek Massacre sparked anger from
the Plains Indians towards the settlers.
End of the Indian Wars
 Red
River War
Series
of battles ultimately leading to the defeat
of the powerful southern Plains tribes. The Native
Americans were angry for two reasons:
1)
Buffalo hunters would not stay off Native
American land
2)
The government failed to provide the
promised food and supplies.
End of the Indian Wars
 Battle
of Little Big Horn
Conflict over gold in the northern Plains
Sioux, led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse
attempted to drive out settlers
George Custer arrived ahead of
reinforcements and both he and his men
were easily defeated.
End of the Indian Wars
 Battle
of Wounded Knee
Religious
revival of the Ghost Dance, the goal of
which was to bring back the buffalo.
As
the movement grew, the government
became anxious and ordered the arrest of
Sitting Bull
In
the confrontation, more than 100 men were
killed as the Native Americans fled to Wounded
Knee, South Dakota.
Assimilation

The U.S. government had a strong desire for Native Americans
to assimilate, or adopt the culture and civilization of whites.

In an effort to downgrade the power of the tribes, the U.S.
government began recognizing Native Americans as
individuals.

The reservation system was replaced by an allotment system.
 Each
Native American family was granted 160 acres of
land, not to be touched for 25 years under the Dawes
General Allotment Act.
 This
was to encourage young Native Americans to take up
farming.